i just submitted my application to AUC's may class. i was hoping that some of you could give me an idea of approximate costs to support a couple in st. maarten. how much can i expect to spend each month on rent, utilities, food, transportation costs etc.? any information is appreciated. thanks.
tota383@aol.com

We've only been here 2 weeks, but can give you an idea on a few things you asked about.

Rent: the cost really depends on what type of apartment, amenities, size, and location you guys are looking for. The average rent is around $1000/month...some less and some more. Two bed rooms can be found around that price range, but usually they are a bit higher in cost. A great benefit to the incoming May '04 class is that there should be many openings, as we have been told it will be a huge class that will be leaving the island. The early bird gets the worm so keep that in mind when starting to look for places as they do tend to go fast.

Groceries: I'm not sure what part of the country you are from, but we came from a suburban area in the midwest and the prices for food are not too much higher, in mose cases. Good advice we were told is to look at the different brands b/c brands you would think would be higher sometimes are not and vice versa. We don't have an exact monthly expense quote to give you since we're still newbies.

Transportation: if you are not shipping your car down here, there are two options for cars: buying or leasing. Some students prefer to lease and I don't remember what the start up fees were but I think usually the monthy payment is around $260 and up I think. Around that ball park. Bonus is that you have oil changes, repairs, etc all taken care of. You can buy an island car here for around $1500-3000. We know of a couple who got their for $1000 and know of people who paid more b/c they wanted a nicer car. The roads are barely "roads" like you are used to in the states...in some areas they are nice, and in others, it is like you are off roading. There are un-paved roads, too, but not in the main areas where we have been. So, there really is not a need to have such a great car b/c of the roads being so bad...and b/c you don't want it to be a target to get broken into. It is an individual decision to decide what is best for you guys.

Hope some of this helps and if you do a search, I know you will find more info on these and similiar subjects. Good luck!

My wife and I make it just fine on the allotted student loans (roughly 15K per semseter after tuition). We pay $1200 in rent per month, and anywhere between $150 -$200 on month average utilities (water/electricity). Internet and cable add an additional $100 per month. I might add that we have two dogs, two cats, two cars, and still manage fine with health insurance for myself & wife, as well as 3rd party auto insurance. It took us about $8000 of start up capital to get situated here, but by my counts with our current budget, we should be able to put away $3K of loan money per remaining semester ($12K total) to use for that period where I am in transition and don't qualify for federal aid. My wife and I get out often and enjoy what SXM has to offer, but we don't go overboard. There are many married students on the island who do just fine with the budgeted funds...you can too, if you use it wisely! Hope this helps!

Aloha,

__________________
Pathology
PGY-1.75

Spend wisely? Maybe you really don't have a brain. I let the Atlantis handle all of my budgeting.

Budgeting? I thought they were your favorite local charity!

Aloha,

__________________
Pathology
PGY-1.75

Don't forget Sugar Cane and the Sports book.

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Finally beat Super Mario Bros within 7 mins.

Jon, I always wondered what anencephalic meant. I just typed it into dictionary.com and almost fell over laughing. Funny stuff.

__________________
PGY2 - OB/GYN

"Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement."
-- Anonymous

Even I had the same question lingering in my mind, but never bothered to check in dictionary until today. Great screen name dude. I just hope it is really not the case . Just kiddin.....Hope to seeya all in May '04.

Fecocephalic is still up for grabs, though

Aloha,

__________________
Pathology
PGY-1.75

That one didn't come up on dictionary.com. I'll have to brush up on my Latin and Greek. Just as long as it has noting to do with genitalia I may consider it.

__________________
PGY2 - OB/GYN

"Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement."
-- Anonymous